Welcome to Merchiston!

Based in 100 acres of beautiful parkland, Merchiston is a Scottish School
offering the English
curriculum and has a global, outward-looking dimension. We take pride in specializing in the
education of boys and preparing them for the world, as we have for over 180 years. Our
mantra is
'Boys first' because, in everything we do, we first ask ourselves the question "What is best
for the
boys?"

"A balanced curriculum, excellent pastoral care and a high A level pass rate make
Merchiston one of the UK's leading independent schools."
- UK Boarding Schools

GETTING TO MERCHISTON

Merchiston stands on the edge of the picturesque riverside village of Colinton, some four miles south west of the centre of Edinburgh, in about 100 acres (c. 40 hectares) of exceptionally beautiful and spacious, part-wooded grounds, shadowed by the stunning Pentland Hills. Edinburgh is easily accessible by road, rail, and international air links, and the School is situated close to the City Bypass and only a fifteen minute drive from Edinburgh International Airport, which has over 100 direct routes. Visitors and residents alike consistently rate Edinburgh highly for its attractiveness and quality of life, winning the city numerous awards and accolades.

From the City Centre (Princes Street): Leave the city centre along Lothian Road travelling north to Tollcross area. Turn right at the King’s Theatre onto Gilmore Place. Continue through Polwarth to a T-junction and turn right onto Colinton Road. Continue through Meggetland and Craiglockhart to a mini-roundabout at Dreghorn. Here, Colinton Road branches right. Continue past Dreghorn Barracks (on the left hand side) and the school grounds on the right hand side. Continue approximately 0.5km. The main gates of the School are on the right (before reaching Colinton Village).

From the M74/A702: Leave the M74 at Junction 13 (Abington) and follow the A702 towards Biggar and then Edinburgh (58 km). At Hillend, join the Edinburgh City Bypass A720 (at Junction 6) following signs towards Forth Road Bridge. Leave at the next Dreghorn Junction (Junction 7) and follow signs towards Colinton. At the mini-roundabout branch left onto Redford Road. Follow this to a T-junction and turn right onto Colinton Road towards the city. The School gates are after 100 yards on the left, (past Colinton Medical Centre and ‘The Cedars’ housing development).

From the A1: Leave the A1 at its junction with the Edinburgh City Bypass A720, joining at Junction 1, Millerhill. Follow signs towards Forth Road Bridge. Continue approximately 10km to Junction 7 (Dreghorn). Leave the bypass and follow signs to Colinton. At the mini-roundabout branch left onto Redford Rd. Follow this to a T-junction and turn right onto Colinton Road towards city. The School gates are after 100 yards on the left, (past Colinton Medical Centre and ‘The Cedars’ housing development).

From the North (via M90/M9) or West (via M8): Either: From the North (after Forth Road Bridge) continue onto the M9 and then M8. Follow directions towards Edinburgh City Bypass and join the bypass A720 Junction 10 (Hermiston) in the direction of Carlisle and the South. Or: From the M8, follow directions to City Bypass in the direction of Carlisle and the South and join the bypass A720 Junction 10 (Hermiston) in the direction of Carlisle and the South.

In either case, leave the bypass at Junction 7 (Dreghorn) and follow signs towards Colinton. At mini-roundabout branch left onto Redford Road. Follow this to a T-junction and turn right onto Colinton Road towards the city. The School gates are after 100 yards on the left, (past Colinton Medical Centre and ‘The Cedars’ housing development).

Merchiston is only about 20 minutes by car or taxi from Edinburgh Waverley Station which is a main line station with regular service connections to all parts of Scotland and other parts of Great Britain. Travel time to London Kings Cross is about 4 hours.

Merchiston is within easy reach of Edinburgh Airport (15/20 minutes by car or taxi). There are regular scheduled flights to all parts of Great Britain and Europe. Travel time to London Heathrow is about 1 hour.